Strategy for Breakfast

We are joined by Tom Stone and Pamela Uddin to discuss their own journey as managing partners of RE:ACT Marketing, but also how they navigate the challenges, success and their future both at work and at home (they are also married). We will unpick those key moments that have brought them here, but also the unique dynamics that they and their team need to adapt to and weave into the culture of the organization. 

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• Why self-awareness within leadership creates a culture of ‘high challenge, low threat’ for teams 
• Growing with you teams, knowing when to succession plan and when to reinvest 
• Normalizing conversations both at work and at home within a unique dynamic 

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here.

Get in touch:

• Connect with Pamela Uddin and Tom Stone here 
• · Connect with David McGrath here 
• Or email [email protected] 

Listen in on any business conversation today, and you can pretty much bet that “AI” comes up within five minutes. Seriously. Set your timer! With all the bot-talk, it’s refreshing to hear from an expert voice who’s convinced the immense power of generative artificial intelligence is not overshadowing humankind’s unique cognitive capabilities.

Our guest explains why we don’t have to be AI-afraid or AI-obsessed, but rather how to become AI enabled!

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• The difference between AI-afraid, AI-obsessed, and AI-enabled.
• How do we encourage individuals and organizations to embrace AI without losing the human spark?
• How GenAI is ushering in a period of enhanced creativity.

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here.

Get in touch:

• Connect with Mohan Nair
• Connect with Kelley Iuele
• Or email [email protected]

It seems like everyone—in the consumer and corporate world—is pushing out AI models and products these days. The question is: what has this done to our cybersecurity? Does AI just make the bad guys faster, or is it actually making us more secure? Our guest today is a “red team” hacker (a hacker for good) and expert in cybersecurity. He talks us through what’s out there trying to wreak havoc, and what works best to keep our data safe.

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• Can AI actually help make us more secure? 
• What are the biggest risks you see from AI?
• We still need to empower people to keep corporate and personal data safe. How do we do that today?

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here.

Get in touch:

• Connect with Gordon Long
• Connect with Kelley Iuele
• Or email [email protected]

Keeping employees motivated and engaged isn’t about bigger paychecks—it’s about deeper connections. Dominic Miserandino, CEO of Retail Tech Media Nexus, joins us to share why empathy, transparency, and really knowing your people are the real keys to retention and performance. From spotting early warning signs before they hit the data, to giving your team “permission to be imperfect,” Dom explains how leaders can create loyalty, trust, and motivation—even in tough times.

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• Why money isn’t the top reason people stay—or leave
• The balance between empathy and accountability in high-pressure environments
• Practical ways to understand what truly drives your team

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here.

Get in touch:

• Connect with Dominic Miserandino
• Connect with Ben Thompson
• Or email [email protected]

The viral Coldplay kiss cam scandal threw the role of CPO, or Chief People Officer—and HR at large—into the spotlight. Our guest is an expert on organizational culture and talks us through why this moment captured so much attention. We also talk about the challenges HR and People leaders face today.

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• What is a Chief People Officer, and what is expected of them?
• What's the true damage of this type of scandal?
• Kiss cam aside, what are the pressing challenges for HR leaders right now?

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here.

Get in touch:

• Connect with Dr. Cornelia Shipley Bearyman
• Connect with Kelley Iuele
• Or email [email protected]

Episode description 

An in-depth discussion with Roberta Passerini, Global Marketing Transformation Leader, exploring strategies that can lead to cultural shifts, picking over the process and how to approach resistance and the practicalities in shifting mindsets. 

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/nSudntRe-yY

Discussion points: 

• What components are required to create sustainable transformation: Collaboration, Transparency, Communication 
• Knowledge of what is coming next, and over planning will support in recovering from setbacks 
• Practical ways marketing leaders can overcome internal pushback and drive lasting change 

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here. 

Get in touch: 

• · Connect with Roberta Passerini here 
• · Connect with David McGrath here 
• · Or email [email protected] 

Episode Description

Understanding when people do their best work—whether early in the morning or later in the day—can dramatically improve team efficiency and morale. NYT best-selling author Dan Pink discusses how leaders who take timing into account can better structure workflows, meetings, and collaborative sessions to match team members’ natural energy peaks. Measuring the impact of this approach helps ensure delivering results. 

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/JCVUshg-qEQ

Discussion Points:

• Optimize work around peak productivity times
• Adapt team structures to individual rhythms
• Measure impact and start with small shifts

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here. 

Get in touch:

• Connect with Dan Pink
• Connect with Keesa Schreane
• Or email [email protected] 

Episode Description:

There’s no denying it: AI and tech are changing HR. Where is AI helping, and what are the problems with everyone using AI to apply for roles? Our guest is walking us through the tools and strategies for people leaders to identify and develop the very best talent. We also hear why the resume is “dead!” Welcome to the latest episode of Strategy for Breakfast. Send us a note at [email protected].

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/JCVUshg-qEQ

Discussion Points:

• Has AI made it harder for companies to hire the right people?
• How hiring criteria must evolve beyond keywords, and why the resume is “dead.”
• How can we better capitalize on our people’s skills to drive market share + profitability?

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here. 

Get in touch:

• Connect with Natasha Nuytten
• Connect with Kelley Iuele
• Or email [email protected]

Episode Description

What if culture wasn’t just an HR buzzword—but the engine behind real innovation, trust, and business growth? In this episode of Strategy for Breakfast, Amanda Brilhante sits down with Cindy Chastain, the Former SVP, Global Head of Customer Experience & Design at Mastercard, to unpack why culture is far more than a branding exercise. They explore why trust is non-negotiable, why even killing a product can be a cultural win, and how meaningful change often starts with small, intentional steps.

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/JCVUshg-qEQ

Discussion Points:

• Why 82% of CEOs are prioritizing culture as a business strategy.
• How emotional resistance can block innovation and transformation.
• Why shared language is key to cross-functional collaboration.

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here. 

Get in touch:

• Connect with Cindy Chastain here 
• Connect with Amanda Brilhante here 
• Or email [email protected] 

Episode Description

We’re joined by Kae Neskovic, Executive Creative Director at Superside, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to evolve your brand without losing its soul. In a world chasing “human” content, Kae breaks down why authenticity isn’t just clever copy or user-generated content—it’s about emotional range, creative bravery, and embracing transformation without fear. 

For more, hear our extended conversation on YouTube!

Discussion Points:

• When brand evolution efforts have been successful, and which aspects need to be avoided. 
• Knowledge of how to build an accepting culture that allows for transformation but also doesn't feel creativity being threatened. 
• The capabilities creative teams now need to develop to stay agile 

Strategy for Breakfast is brought to you by GDS, the leaders in data-driven engagement. If you want to get involved with the wider conversations shaping the future of your industry, check out our upcoming events here. 

Get in touch:

•       Connect with Kae Neskovic here       
• Connect with David McGrath here       
• Or email [email protected]